Grave sin: BJP shreds Bhagwant Mann amid 'sacrilege' video row; AAP pushes back

A fresh political storm has engulfed Punjab after allegations surrounding a purported video involving Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann triggered sharp reactions from political parties and Sikh religious bodies, with the BJP intensifying demands for his resignation and the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) rejecting the allegations as politically motivated.

The controversy centres on a viral video that allegedly shows a man resembling Mann engaging in objectionable conduct involving photographs of Sikh Gurus.

The video has sparked outrage and prompted intervention from religious authorities, with the Akal Takht – the highest decision-making body in Sikhism – recently declaring Mann as "Guru Dokhi (the betrayer of the Gurus)" and "Khalsa Panth virodhi (anti-Khalsa faith)".

The latest escalation followed action by Gurugram Police, which registered an FIR and arrested two men in connection with an alleged conspiracy to obtain favourable forensic reports linked to the video.

The case stems from a complaint by a Haryana-based forensic and cyber investigation professional who alleged that individuals claiming to represent senior Punjab government officials attempted to influence forensic findings.

BJP DEMANDS MANN'S RESIGNATION

Reacting to the developments, Delhi Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa launched a strong attack on the Punjab government, questioning why action had not been taken against Mann.

"The way such a grave sin has been committed, and the attempt to suppress it with the help of money and the police, has been challenged. Sikh authorities, the dignity of Sikhs, and the sentiments of Sikhs have been challenged...When will a case be filed against Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann? When will Bhagwant Mann be arrested in this case?" the BJP leader said during a press conference on Wednesday.

According to the complaint, the forensic official was allegedly pressured to arrange reports declaring the video AI-generated, manipulated or unreliable, and stating that the person in the footage was not the Punjab Chief Minister.

He further alleged that threats were issued and around Rs 10 lakh in cash was forcibly placed in his vehicle. Investigators are examining digital evidence, financial transactions and the role of those involved in preparing and circulating the reports.

"Nothing can be more shameful for Punjab than a Chief Minister facing allegations of sacrilegious conduct and then allegedly using the power of his office to cover it up. After the Akal Takht Sahib’s order on 15 June, senior Punjab Police officers were sent to secure a favourable forensic report with Rs 10 lakh deal with a forensic lab in Gurugram," Sirsa said in a tweet earlier.

AKALDI DAL ATTACKS BHAGWANT MANN

Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia also intensified pressure on the government, alleging that meetings were held in Gurugram to secure reports discrediting the video. He questioned the source of alleged payments and demanded investigations by central agencies.

He said three rooms—3000, 3004, and 6004—were booked at a Gurugram hotel, where a deal was struck to prepare a report discrediting the video.

"Where did the Rs 10 lakh come from? Was it not public money? They secretly spent Rs 3 crore; the CBI and ED should investigate this".

"Nothing like this has ever happened in history; even Maharaja Ranjit Singh accepted punishment from the Akal Takht and bowed his head. Bhagwant Mann is the first to confront the Akal Takht, and he is facing the consequences," he added.

Majithia further demanded that a case regarding sacrilege be registered under the relevant sections of the BNS against the police officers, Mann, and his ministers Harpal Cheema and Aman Arora, claiming all of them are involved in this nexus.

He called on AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal to clarify his position and remove the Chief Minister from office.

AAP HITS BACK

The Punjab unit of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), however, rejected the allegations and questioned the authenticity of the video itself.

Punjab AAP president Aman Arora said Haryana is governed by the BJP and its police and administration operate under its authority, arguing that if the BJP genuinely wanted to uncover the truth, it should investigate who created, financed and circulated the video.

Arora maintained that people across Punjab knew the individual seen in the footage was not Bhagwant Mann. He said, "if there had been any intention to obtain a favourable report, the government could have used laboratories in Punjab instead of approaching institutions outside the state". He described that as evidence that an impartial examination was sought.

Arora also accused the BJP of diverting attention from issues in Haryana, including concerns over crime, drugs and public safety, and alleged that the party was pursuing political vendettas for relevance in Punjab.

After the video surfaced, the AAP staged protests across Punjab on Saturday against the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), accusing it of spreading a fabricated clip to malign Mann. Ministers, MLAs and party workers held demonstrations, alleging misuse of religion and politically motivated propaganda.

The controversy intensified after Gurugram Police registered an FIR and arrested two men in connection with an alleged conspiracy to secure favourable forensic reports linked to the viral video. The footage purportedly showed a man resembling Mann in objectionable acts involving Sikh Guru images, allegations strongly denied by AAP.

With the controversy now extending beyond politics into religious and legal domains, attention is expected to remain on the Gurugram Police investigation and any further forensic scrutiny of the video.

The matter is also likely to intensify pressure on the Mann government amid opposition demands for accountability, while AAP continues to frame the episode as a coordinated political campaign aimed at damaging the Chief Minister’s credibility and public standing.